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An Experimental Data-Driven Model of a Micro-Cogeneration Installation for Time-Domain Simulation and System Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Wojciech Uchman

    (Department of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery, Silesian University of Technology, Konarskiego 18, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland)

  • Janusz Kotowicz

    (Department of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery, Silesian University of Technology, Konarskiego 18, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland)

  • Leszek Remiorz

    (Department of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery, Silesian University of Technology, Konarskiego 18, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland)

Abstract

In this article, an investigation of a free-piston Stirling engine-based micro-cogeneration (μCHP) unit is presented. This work is a step towards making the system calculations more reliable, based on a data-driven model, which enables the time-domain simulation of the μCHP behavior. A laboratory setup was developed that allowed for the measurement of a micro-cogeneration unit during long-term operation with a variable thermal load. The maximum efficiency of electricity generation was equal to 13.2% and the highest overall efficiency was equal to 95.7%. A model of the analyzed μCHP system was developed and validated. The simulation model was based on the device’s characteristics that were obtained from the measurements; it enables time-domain calculations, taking into account the different operating modes of the device. The validation of the system showed satisfactory compliance of the model with the measurements: for the period modeled of 24 h, the error in the heat generation fluctuated in the range 0.31–4.50%, the error in the electricity generation was in the range 2.48–4.70%, the error in the natural gas consumption was in the range 0.26–4.59%, and the engine’s runtime error was in the range 0.14–8.58%. The modelling process is easily applicable to other energy systems for detailed analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Wojciech Uchman & Janusz Kotowicz & Leszek Remiorz, 2020. "An Experimental Data-Driven Model of a Micro-Cogeneration Installation for Time-Domain Simulation and System Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-26, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:11:p:2759-:d:365613
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kotowicz, Janusz & Uchman, Wojciech & Jurczyk, Michał & Sekret, Robert, 2023. "Evaluation of the potential for distributed generation of green hydrogen using metal-hydride storage methods," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
    2. Kotowicz, Janusz & Uchman, Wojciech, 2021. "Analysis of the integrated energy system in residential scale: Photovoltaics, micro-cogeneration and electrical energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    3. Sonja Kallio & Monica Siroux, 2023. "Exergy and Exergy-Economic Approach to Evaluate Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Gianluca Valenti & Aldo Bischi & Stefano Campanari & Paolo Silva & Antonino Ravidà & Ennio Macchi, 2021. "Experimental and Numerical Study of a Microcogeneration Stirling Unit under On–Off Cycling Operation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Uchman, Wojciech & Kotowicz, Janusz & Li, Kin Fun, 2021. "Evaluation of a micro-cogeneration unit with integrated electrical energy storage for residential application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).

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